IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS
is an exploration of edges and our relationship to difference, ambiguity and change, created by Canadian-born, UK-based dance maker Laïla Diallo in collaboration with Venezuelan artist Ania Varez and local migrant community members.
The project draws on Diallo’s interest in notions of migration, of elsewhereness, and her interest in exploring the edges of our bodies, the edges of cities and countries, the edges of language and of dialogue. The piece is shaped by two specific invitations to community participants which is used to form a score. The spine of this score is performed by two professional dancers, alongside a large but flexible number of community participants who come together to develop their part of the score over a short period of time wherever the work travels to.
As a whole, the piece asks how we hold space together, how we make room for others, and how we are changed by being together.
IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS is part of WE ARE THE STORIES - a trilogy of work created by migrant theatre makers, exploring the boundaries of co-creation, participation and performance.
All three projects in the trilogy are conceived to be performed by a mix of professional and non-professional performers, and the input of local communities shapes the content and expression of each piece. The three pieces are all structured around a concept which is re-developed in each location it performs, meaning the performances will never be the same twice.
All photos (c) Hanna-Katrina Jedrosz and David Oxberry
